Looking Forward to Summer Art Festivals...?

I'm in the midst of applying to art festivals and waiting to hear which shows will invite me to attend. All the top festivals have juries who decide which artists will be accepted and you never know which shows you'll get into from year to year. It's kind of exciting, really, waiting to venture off into the unknown. After a winter of studio work I start to dream about setting up my booth, wondering which of my show buddies and collector friends I'll get to see. I'm happy to realize that I still love meeting new people and talking about art. What a joy.

Naturally, that also sets my mind to wandering back over the experiences of last year...
Here's a photo of my lovely corner booth, first day of the Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival. The sun was shining, smiling people were strolling by in sandals, shorts & sleeveless tops. Another day in a mountain paradise.

Then, about two o'clock, something new started slipping over the hills... do I hear rumbling?

Here we are about halfway through the weather event. Marble-sized hail is falling (heavy) at a 45-degree angle. It kept up for about an hour - all this accompanied by bone-rattling thunder & lightning (you can see ceramic artist Gail Pendergrass across the way, taking it all in stride). By the time it was done the ground was solid white. The ground was still nice and warm from the morning sun, so the hail melted into ice water. We finally had to close up early (wading around in an inch of ice water) and run for cover, considering the lightning & those lovely metal-framed tents sticking up all over the open field.

So, remind me again why I like doing this? I'm thinking the good old American Pioneer Spirit might be overrated.